Key device for saxophones



14 1927. June F. L. LEMM KEY DEVICE FOR SAXOPHONES Filed Sept. 24, 1926 Patented June 14, 1927.

PATENT OFF-ICE.

pa rs stares FREEERICK L. LEMM, OF LA FORTE, INDIANA, ASSIGIIOR TO CONTURIER COMPANY, OF LA FORTE, INDIANA, A COEPGRATION OF INDIANA.

KEY DEVICE FOR SAXOPHONES.

Application filed September 24, 1926. Serial No. 137,454.

This invention relates to improvements in key devices tor saxophones, and has for its principal object to produce an improved and simpler arrangement of devices of the character described whereby certain notes of the instrument may be more readily manipulated than heretofore, but without effecting the presentstandard fingering arrangement thereof.

lvlore specifically, the present invention relates to an improvement in the arrangement of keys normally controlled by the small finger of the left hand. Heretofore, in standard saxophone designs, this'finger has control oftour different keys, each operating a single tone hole cover, and all grouped together and operable in the usual varying combinations with the other keys. The proper fingering of these four keys, however, usually involves very awkward and ditlicult movements which a e probably the most ditticult of all for most players, due to the factthat the little finger usually is comparatively weak, as well as being somewhat less nimble than the other fingers, which have less work to do. The present invention contemplates the controlling of two of the tone holes by one key, thereby reducing the number of keys in this group from tour to three, and resulting in a much simpler and more freely manipulated action. At the same time, the

standard key arrangementanc feel is substantially maintained so that the experienced player finds no change in his accustomed mode of fingering.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawing, 111 whichlligure l is a fragmentary view of a portion of a saxophone, but showing only the key arrangement for the little finger of the left hand, and one illustrative arrangement of cover plates which may be controlled thereby. It will be understood that several intervening tone holes and covers are omitted,- and also that the relative positions ot the tone holes shown may vary considerably from those illustrated, depending upon the type of instrument used.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line oi Figure l.

Referringnow to details oi the construction shown in the drawing, indicates a portion of the main body of the saxophone,

which is smaller toward the upper, or mouthpiece end of the instrument, as usual. The four tone holes controlled bythe key group 11 have substantially the same relative arrangenient as in sta dard constructions, and comprise the Git indicated at 12 immediately to the right, and under the keys, the low B-natural, indicated at 18 also on the right side of the keys, the low B next to the B-natural, indicated at 1 and the low Git, the left side of the key group, and indicated at 15. Each of the tone hol s are provided with the usual covers, the Gt: having cover 12 low City: having cover B-natural having cover 13*, and B" having cover 1st.

The also has the usual interlocking connection with the adjacent lower G-natural tone hole cover 31 by a finger carried on the latter, vhich is usually manipulated by the right hand. These latter parts are 1ndicated in dotted lines in the drawing, so as not to be confused with the showing of the left hand key group. The arrangement is such that the closing of the next lower G- natural tone by the right hand insures the closing of the Crr hole, it it is not already closed.

The key action and connections for contl'OlliIlg' the tone hole covers 13 and 14 are also substantially the same as in standard practice, so will be described first. Both of these covers are normally held in open position by springs of the usual form (not shown). A key or plate 23 is located in the right center of the key group, and extents downwardly under an associated key 24, and thence to rocker shaft 23, which controls cover 13 on the low B-natural tone hole by closing the same. The key 2% overlies the key 23, and is connected to cover 14 for closing the low B tone hole. The arrangement of the B-natural and B -keys just mentioned is such that key 3 may be actuated independently of key 24:, but the depres. ion of the lower key 2% also depresses key 23. and closes both tone holes 13 and 14, in the usual manner.

Referring now to the principal "feature of my invention, it will be understood that heretoi ore, the remaining two tone holes and low (1 12/: have been controlled independently of each other by two keys, the low Cgtt key being arranged vertically of the key grou and extending along the left of both keys Ill.

23 and 24, so that the finger might readily slide from this key to either of the other keys. The G# key extended transversely above the upper ends of the C# and B- natural ke s. In my improved construction, the and low C# keys are controlled by a single key, indicated generally at 25, and assuming the shape of an inverted L, as shown. This single key 25 is connected directly to one of the tone hole covers, as for instance the low C# cover through lever 26 and rocking shaft 27, and when depressed, overcomes tension on spring 17, to permit cover 15 to open. Simultaneously the G# cover 12 which is normally held closed by spring 17 acting through arms 29 and 28, is permitted to open when key is depressed. A spring 16, somewhat lighter than spring 17 tends to open cover 12 but is normally overcome by stronger spring 17 excepting when the latter is depressed by operation of key 25, as described.

The operation and advantages of the key arrangement above described will now be clear to one skilled in the art. The single key 25 is used for playing either G# or low C#, insteadof requiring the independent fingering of the two separate keys heretofore provided. It will be understood, however, that even if key 25 is depressed, and

the G# hole he thereby opened, said hole will again be closed at any time that the next lower tone holes such as lower G-natnral hole 30 is closed by the proper finger of the right hand, due to the automatic action of the interlocking finger 31, as described. Thus, all of the intermediate notes between G#' and low C#, may be played in the same manner as heretofore, even though the key 25 is depressed. This arrangement therefore entirely eliminates one key, and relieves the little finger of considerable work heretofore required not only in the depressing of the two keys, but in sliding from one key to another.

Furthermore, it will be observed that by providing an L-shaped key as shown, extending alon the sides of keys 23 and 24, and thence along the upper end of key 23, the three ke s can be readily manipulated by sliding t 1e finger from one to the other, the

L-shaped key extending in juxtaposition to both keys 23 and 24 so as to facilitate this sliding movement to either of said keys regardless of the initial position of the finger on key 25. As a further advanta e, it will be understood that the sha e of t e key 25 approximates the combine shapes of the two keys previously used, so that an experienced player, accustomed to the old way of fingering this group of keys, need not change his technique in any way, until he finds that he is making many unnecessary moves and then may gradually adapt himself to the easier system of fingering afforded by the improved arrangement.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a saxophone, a multiplekey roup adapted to be controlled by the little nger of the left hand, and connected with tone hole covers, two of said covers being normally closed, and being adapted to be opened by depressing one key of said grou and other tone hole covers intermediate said last named tone holes having means for automatically closing the upper one of said two tone hole covers when their common control; ling key is depressed.

2. In a saxophone, three adjacent keys adapted to be controlled by the little finger of the left hand, and operatively connected with tone hole covers, two of said tone hole covers being normally closed, and having means for opening them simultaneously by depression of a single one of said ke s, and tone hole covers intermediate said last named tone hole covers and adapted to be controlled by other fingers, said intermediate tone holes having means for automatically closing the upper one of said normally closed covers when said single key is depressed to open the same.

3. In a saxophone, three keys adapted to be controlled by the little finger of the left hand, one of said keys being operatively connected with two tone ho'le covers, and havin a substantially L-shaped finger plate extending in juxtaposition adjacent sides of both of the other keys, and thence along one side of one of said keys.

Signed at La Porte, Ind., this 17th day of September, 1926.

FREDERICK L. LEMM. 

